Curtains

The leading lady is dead, but the show must go on. Oh, and they kind of need to find out who killed her. But, again, the show must go on. In a return to classic musical theater, Theatre Under the Stars is bringing in a production of Curtains, a musical mystery, show-within-a-show set in the 1950s that was a hit on Broadway. Two Guiding Light alumni are headlining the cast: Robert Newman plays Lieutenant Frank Cioffi (he played Joshua Lewis on the soap opera, which ended in 2009) and Daytime Emmy Award winner Kim Zimmer is Broadway producer Carmen Bernstein (she gained fame as Reva Shayne on the soap).

Houstonians will also enjoy the return of native son David Elder, who plays Bobby Pepper, the choreographer and leading man of the show within the show. Known for his dancing, singing, acting and (fourth dimension) tumbling talents, Elder has played the role several times, including on Broadway opposite David Hyde Pierce. Elders parents still live in Santa Fe, Texas  one of the reasons he jumped at the chance to join this production. 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sundays. Through April 10. Hobby Center, 800 Bagby. For information, call 713-558-8887 or visit www.tuts.com. $24 to $99. Tuesdays-Sundays. Starts: March 29. Continues through April 10, 2011

Margaret Downing is the editor-in-chief who oversees the Houston Press newsroom and its print and online publications. An award-winning journalist, in addition to editing, she frequently writes on a wide range of subjects.